I have a 7 box tall hive that is almost full of brood and honey. How many boxes would you recommend taking off for the winter and how many would your recommend keeping on?

10-09-2012, 09:32 PM

Lburou

Re: 7 box hive

Subscribed. I want to hear this advice. ;)

10-09-2012, 09:57 PM

Vance G

Re: 7 box hive

Personally, I would start stripping off the top until the remaining boxes weighed around 125 pounds. That would be leaving a generous amount of stores for your lattitude. Odds are the bottom box has very little honey and probably quite a bit of pollen. You might have three boxes of surplus or possibly four. That is my opinion but listen to some old beekeeper in your area. Local advice is best.

10-09-2012, 10:50 PM

JRG13

Re: 7 box hive

What size boxes?

10-09-2012, 11:18 PM

tucker0104

Re: 7 box hive

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRG13

What size boxes?

They are mediums. I was thinking of taking 3 off and leaving 4.

10-12-2012, 10:02 PM

applebwoi

Re: 7 box hive

I use all mediums here in Amarillo, Tx and overwinter in 3 or 4, depending on bee population and how heavy the boxes are. Four, if the top two are full of honey are likely plenty. Good luck!

10-13-2012, 05:45 AM

oblib

Re: 7 box hive

If they are 10 farme then 3 boxes equal 2 deeps. If 8 frame then it takes 4. I would think that a double deep would be plenty for where you are.

10-13-2012, 06:26 AM

dfortune

Re: 7 box hive

1 box of brood/honey/pollen. Then leave 2 more boxes of completely capped honey. Dont know how much brood you have so it may be more like 1.5 boxes so adjust accordingly but i wouldnt leave any more than 3 boxes on in your area and feed in late winter/early spring if needed.